Bicycle pedal having sealed lubrication means



M. MQRSE. 3,320,826

BICYCLE PEDAL HAVING SEALED LUBRICATION MEANS May 23, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 5, 1965 M. MORSE May 23, 1967 BICYCLE PEDAL HAVING SEALED 2 Sheets-5heet 2 Filed Aug. 5,

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United States Patent ice "szasas Patented ll/lay 23, i997 3,320,326 BICYCLE PEDAL HAVING SEALED LUBRICATION MEANS Milton Morse, 1 Horizon Road, Fort Lee, NJ. 07024 Filed Aug. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 477,430 6 Claims. (Cl. 'M -594.4)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLSURE A bi-cycle pedal having a hermetically sealed reservoir and lubricating means therein providing recirculation of This invention relates generally to the eld of velocipedes, and more particularly to an improved pedal having self-contained lubrication means.

Prior art constructions of this type have normally included a relatively fixed shaft which is secured to the cranks, the pedals having means for rotatably positioning the lsame upon the cranks. Lubrication has been accomplished by placing drops of oil upon the shaft to work their way through to the points of sliding Contact. Such lubrication, while effective to a degree, also carries with it minute particles of dirt and grit which have a natural attraction to an oiled surface, and owi-ng to the necessity of frequent oiling, which is often ignored, the pedals often operate with inadequate lubrication.

In the present construction, it is proposed to provide a reservoir within the pedal which is normally filled with oil. Due to the presence of a ring seal at one end of the pedal and a plug at the other, the o-il cannot escape. Instead, the oil is recirculated around the axle by virtue of a slight amount of end play which is apparent in pedals of this type. As the oil is hermetically sealed within the pedal, it necessarily follows that if any air should enter the reservoir in the form of a bubble or bubbles, provision must be made for the breathing of the reservoir.

I-n the absence of breathing means, and in the presence of heat, these bubbles would expand and would either drive the oil out of the pedal or would create end pressure which would tend to bind the free-rolling motion of the pedal. In cold weather, the bubbles would contract, and this would draw more air into the system. lf sutilycient air enters the system, it might eventually displace the oil.

In order to avoid the above result, there is provided a through bore in the pedal shaft, so that a certain amount of breathing may take place through a metal gauze filter. In addition, means is provided for varying the size of the reservoir so that oil expanding under heat may be accommodated, and, conversely, contracting oil will also be matched by a contraction in the volume of the reservoir, thereby discouraging the entry of air.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved bicycle or velocipede pedal which will require no external addition of lubricating fluid throughout substantially its entire useful life.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved bicycle or velocipede pedal which may incorporate an oil reservoir therein.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved bicycle pedal construction, incorporating the above advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of `an improved permanently lubricated bicycle pedal in which the lubrication will be relatively unaffected by the presence of dust, dirt and grease in the surrounding environs.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the same may be readily installed in existing bicycle crank members without substantial modication.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been ernployed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE l is an end elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view thereof, as seen from the plane 2 2 in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 3 3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View, corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 3 but showing a modied form of the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a similar sectional view of a modied form of the second embodiment.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional View of the modilied form of the second embodiment, showing an altered relative position of the component parts.

In accordance with the principal forni of the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character lll, comprises broadly: a fixed shaft element il, and a freely rotating pedal element 12. The fixed shaft element lll is preferably formed from machined bar stock, or as a forging, and includes an inner end ld having a threaded portion 1:3 engageable with a bicycle crank (not shown), as well as an Unthreaded portion le leading to a radially extending flange l?" which determines the limited ingress of the threaded portion l5 into said crank. The flange 17 includes peripheral surfaces 18 for tool engagement.

Adjacent the fiange i7 are second and third radially extending ilanges I9 and 20 defining a cylindricallyshaped recess 21 therebetween. This recess accommodates a resilient sealing ring 22. Extending leftwardly, as seen in FIGURE 2, from the flange Ztl is an elongated cylindrical portion 23, the outer surface 24 of which forms a bearing for the pedal element 12. The portion 23 includes an outer terminal 25. Extending longitudinally of the element ll is a continuous internal bore 26, including a countersunk portion 27 and an internally threaded portion 2S. Positioned within the countersunk portion 127 is a metal gauze lter 29 of suiciently ne mesh to prevent seepage of the grade of lubricant ernployed, as will more fully appear hereinafter, although allowing atmospheric air to pass therethrough. The filter 29 is positioned by a pair of retaining washers 3u and 3l.

The internally threaded portion 2S is engaged by a threaded bolt 32, the hea-d portion 33 of which engages a lock washer 34, thus transmitting pressure to a thrust washer 35. Extending for .substantially the entire length of the portion 23 is a groove 36 forming an oil passage, wher-ein oil may flow between the thrust washer 35 and the flange 2l) which forms a thrust bearing operating in an opposite direction.

The pedal element l2 may be of die-cast or machined metal, and is bounded by rst and second planar surfaces 38 and 39, side surfaces Alti and 4l, and an inner end surface 42 and an outer end surface d3. In the interest of lightness, suitable lightening holes 44 may be provided.

Extending longitudinally of the element 12 is a through bore 4S including first and second counterbores de and fl-7, respectively. The counterbore 47 is provided with a threaded portion 48 and forms a seat 49 accommodating a flexible sealing diaphragm Sli held in position by an externally threaded nut Sli. As best seen in FIG- URE l, the nut Si includes a slot 52 for accommodating tool means, as well as a curvilinear portion 53 into which a portion of the diaphragm Sil may expand as required.

During operation of the pedal, the natural axial motion of the pedal, owing to normal clearances, as the pedal rotates about the shaft element, will permit oil disposed Within the reservoir 57 to flow past the thrust washer 35 into the groove 36 from which it reaches the entire surface of the bore a5. Should heat expand the oil disposed in the reservoir 57, this is accommodated by iiexing of the diaphragm 50. Air within the reservoir 57 may escape through the lter 29 as required. Thus, with a normal initial charge of oil in the reservoir 57, adequate lubrication may be contained for the entire useful life of the device.

In the alternate form shown in FIGURE 4, parts corresponding to those of the principal form have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 1.

This form differs from the principal form in the provision of a spring 56 supplementing the action of the thrust washer 13S, so that if desired the pedal may be manually pulled outwardly to allow oil to flow into the passage 136.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, parts corresponding to those of the principal form have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the enlargement of the recess 221 to allow the same to form a second reservoir for the retention of oil and the elimination of the diaphragm 5t) and filter 29. In the modified form of FIGURES 6 and 7, cam means 6@ and follower means 6l are provided on the pedal element and shaft element, respectively, which contact each other once for each revolution of the pedal element with respect to the shaft element, causing a slight outward movement axially along the shaft element. This action diminishes to a small degree the volume of the reservoir 257, so that the normally full reservoir forces oil along the oil groove 236, any surplus oil accumulating in the recess 221. This movement may be as little as a few thousandths of an inch, and occurs with each rotation of the pedal so that a constant supply of oil is disposed in the groove. If desired, a plurality of grooves may be employed in radially spaced relation, so that one of said grooves will always be disposed in a lower position, whereby the action will take place even if the reservoir is not completely filled with oil.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modification will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

l. In a bicycle pedal having a relatively fixed shaft element and a freely rotating pedal element, the improvement comprising: said shaft element having an axially disposed cylindrical bearing surface thereon, thrust bearing members extending radially from said cylindrical surface at either end thereof, said pedal element having a corresponding cylindrical surface supported by said cylindrical surface of said shaft element for coaxial motion thereon, one of said surfaces having a substantially longitudinally extending groove therein communicating with at least one of said thrust bearing members, and sealed reservoir means disposed adjacent said thrust bearing member for retaining a fluid lubricant and having communication with said groove along the surface of said thrust bearing member; said fixed shaft element having a continuous bore therein, and filter means disposed within said bore and communicating with said reservoir for equalizing pressure within said sealed reservoir with the ambient atmosphere.

2. In a bicycle pedal having a relatively fixed shaft element and a freely rotating pedal element, the improvement comprising: said shaft element having an axially disposed cylindrical bearing surface thereon, thrust bearing members extending radially from said cylindrical surface at either end thereof, said pedal element having a corresponding cylindrical surface supported by said cylindrical surface of said shaft element for coaxial motion thereon, one of said surfaces having la substantially longitudinally extending groove therein communicating with at least one of said thrust bearing members, and sealed reservoir means disposed adjacent said thrust bearing member for retaining a iiuid lubricant and having communication with said groove along the surface of said thrust bearing member; said fixed shaft element having a continuous bore therein, and metal gauze filter means disposed within said bore and communicating with said reservoir for equalizing pressure within said sealed reservoir with the ambient atmosphere.

3. In a bicycle pedal having a relatively fixed shaft element and a freely rotating pedal element, the improvement comprising: said shaft element having an axially disposed cylindrical bearing surface thereon, thrust bearing members extending radially from said cylindrical surface at either end thereof, said pedal element having a corresponding cylindrical surface supported by said cylindrical surface of said shaft element for coaxial motion thereon, one of said surfaces having a substantially longitudinally extending groove therein communieating with at least one of said thrust bearing members, and sealed reservoir means disposed adjacent said thrust bearing member for retaining a fluid lubricant and having communication with said groove along the surface of said thrust bearing members; said fixed shaft element having a continuous bore therein, and filter means disposed within said bore and communicating with said reservoir for equalizing pressure within said sealed reservoir with the ambient atmosphere: said reservoir including a resiliently expandable element.

4. In a bicycle pedal having a relatively fixed shaft element and a freely rotating pedal element, the improvement comprising: said shaft element having an axially disposed cylindrical bearing surface thereon, thrust bearing members extending radially from said cylindrical surface at either end thereof, said pedal element having a corresponding cylindrical surface supported by 4said cylindrical surface of said shaft element for coaxial motion thereon, one of said surfaces having a substantially longitudinally extending groove therein communieating with at least one of said thrust bearing members, and sealed reservoir means disposed adjacent said thrust bearing member for retaining a fluid lubricant and having communication with said groove along the surface of said thrust bearing member; said thrust bearing member including a resilient component permitting axial movement of said pedal element with respect to said shaft element to diminish the volume of said reservoir means and force lubricant disposed therein into said groove.

5. In a lbicycle pedal having a relatively fixed shaft element and a freely rotating pedal element, the irnprovement comprising: said shaft element having an axially disposed cylindrical bearing surface thereon, thrust bearing members extending radially from said cylindrical surface at either end thereof, said pedal element having a corresponding cylindrical surface supported by said cylindrical surface of said shaft element for coaxial motion thereon, one of said surfaces having a substantially longitudinally extending groove therein communicatng with atleast one of said thrust bearing members, and sealed reservoir means disposed adjacent said thrust bearing member for retaining a fluid lubricant and having communication with said groove along the surface of said thrust bearing member; said thrust bearing member including a resilient component permitting axial movement of said pedal element With respect to said shaft element to diminish the volume of said reservoir means and force lubricant disposed therein into said groove, and means for positively axially shifting said pedal element at periodic intervals.

6. In ya bicycle pedal having a relatively fixed shaft element and a freely rotating pedal element, the improvement comprising: said shaft element having an axially disposed cylindrical bearing surface thereon, thrust bearing members extending radially from said cylindrical surface at either end thereof, said pedal element having a corresponding cylindrical surface supported -by said cylindrical surface of said shaft element for coaxial rnotion thereon, one of said surfaces having a substantially longitudinally extending groove therein communicating with at least one of said thrust bearing members, and sealed reservoir means disposed adjacent. said thrust bearing member for retaining a fluid lubricant and having communication with said groove `along the surface of said thrust bearing member; said thrust bearing member including a resilient component permitting axial movement of said pedal element with respect to said shaft element to diminish the volume of said reservoir means and force lubricant disposed therein into said groove, and cooperating cam and follower means for positively axially shifting said pedal element at periodic intervals.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 992,465 7/1951 France. 998,319 9/1951 France. 1,109,172 9/1955 France.

FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Primary Examiner'. 

1. IN A BICYCLE PEDAL HAVING A RELATIVELY FIXED SHAFT ELEMENT AND A FREELY ROTATING PEDAL ELEMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: SAID SHAFT ELEMENT HAVING AN AXIALLY DISPOSED CYLINDRICAL BEARING SURFACE THEREON, THRUST BEARING MEMBERS EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM SAID CYLINDRICAL SURFACE AT EITHER END THEREOF, SAID PEDAL ELEMENT HAVING A CORRESPONDING CYLINDRICAL SURFACE SUPPORTED BY SAID CYLINDRICAL SURFACE OF SAID SHAFT ELEMENT FOR COAXIAL MOTION THEREON, ONE OF SAID SURFACES HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING GROOVE THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID THRUST BEARING MEMBERS, AND SEALED RESERVOIR MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID THRUST BEARING MEMBER FOR RETAINING A FLUID LUBRICANT AND HAV- 